This incredible roof-top happy hour will be hosted literally above, during and within the Cherry Creek Arts Festival on Saturday, July 2nd at the newly remodeled and stunning Room & Board. This electrified event will feature interactive art, music, food, and open-bar beverage in celebration of the 2016 Cherry Creek Arts Festival.

Last week, Cherry Creek Arts Festival had their kickoff party in celebration of this year’s event AND commemorative poster artist Lynn Whipple. Between poster signings and preparing for the arts festival, we asked Lynn a few questions and really get to know this year’s poster artist!

Lynn Whipple is a full time artist, who favors collage/mixed media and painting.

“I am deeply grateful to live my life as an artist. Play and discovery are my dearest and most constant companions. There are a zillion tiny challenges in each art making experience, and so often I find, just as many small, sweet victories. Without a doubt, living creatively is the most enjoyable and satisfying game I know.”

PERSPECTIVE: First question is.. Easy? Please share with us what you do, and why you do it.
LW: My name is Lynn Whipple and I am a visual artist and creativity teacher. I love what I do!! I paint, draw, write, work with collage and generally get to experiment and make interesting combinations out of color, line, shape and mark! It is creative play, the thing I enjoy most.

PERSPECTIVE: How do you work?
LW: When I am not outside drawing or painting, I go to my studio which is a big warehouse that I share with my husband and 20 other artists called McraeArtStudios.com I have a big messy space with dozens of paintings and drawings going at the same time. There are loads of interesting things pinned up on my walls that I find inspiring. I start with layers of paint, then charcoal drawing, then more paint, more drawing….. you build a surface and the imagery goes on top.

Photo of Lynn’s Studio

P: How’d you get to where you are today? What’s your background?
LW: I spent many years working at Nickelodeon Studios making children’s television. I worked every job in the Art Department, from Prop Person, to Scenic Painter, to Set Decorator to Art Director.

P: What?! Nickelodeon! Pretty sure that’s every kid’s dream at some point. With so much experience, what work do you most enjoying doing?
LW: I love it all! I love color, spattering paint, drawing, abstracting forms, designing. I also love teaching and encouraging others to “move their hands” so they can enjoy their own creativity.

P: With so much collaboration between drawing, collage, painting, etc. we have to ask, what inspires you?
LW: Nature, music, words, other artists, flavors, colors, flowers, travel

P: What would be your dream project?
LW: Working really large and loose and designing interactive artwork that can allow folks to be a part of it. I would love for anyone who came across the work to be able to participate in some way that they can see the effects of their ideas happen immediately. To let them be engaged in the creative act as well.

P: Final Question…Do you have any advice for new or young art collectors?
LW: Go for what speaks to you. Something that sparks your interest, that makes you lean in and appreciate or learn…. Go for what feels right and excites your brain.

Lynn was selected at this year’s 2016 Cherry Creek Arts Festival Commemorative Poster Artist. Her prints/commemorative posters of her piece, titled “Wild Fresh Flowers” is available available at the Cherry Creek Art Festival’s “Art Shop”– Enjoy and buy art from Arts Festival artists, as well as our popular annual posters! www.CherryArtShop.org

According to art economist Don Thompson inThe $12 Million Stuffed Shark (Palgrave Macmillan), even Charles Saatchi “loses money on two purchases out of five, earns a moderate profit on two and makes a large profit only on the fifth.” If this is the best that the world’s most noted collector can do, what hope is there for the rest of us?

With those expectations out of the way, start looking at as much art as possible. Focus on a style that you enjoy, and suspend the skepticism, anxiety and fear triggered by something new or hard to understand—this is the first step to falling in love with an artwork.

“Knowing which artists do have staying power can be incredibly intimidating for buyers on any level. But original art can be bought online for as little as $50—framed and ready to hang.

“Don’t devalue something just because it is priced at less than what you think ‘good’ art should be priced at,” says Ginger Porcella, founder of Big Deal Arts Advisory in New York. “I always tell people that if you really like it, buy it, whether it is $50 or $500.”

3 >>Find artists via platforms you’re already familiar with

“By scrolling through my Instagram feed I first discovered the work of Kasper Sonne and Sofia Leiby. My interest in the two grew, eventually leading to their work being added to my collection” says Scott Friedman (@sfriedz), a young New York collector.

“According to a recent survey of collectors on Instagram, an incredible 51.5% have purchased works from artists they originally discovered through Instagram. More importantly, this discovery led to an average of 5 purchased works by artists originally found on the app!” – Artsy.net

Scrolling through hashtags or searching artist instagrams can help you find artists you love. Plus by following them you get a small glimpse of their daily life.

4 >>Do your research, and get involved

This is probably the MOST IMPORTANT tip and according to ArtNet, millennials are already pretty good at this!

They [Millennial collectors] understand in order to do their own research, they have to connect with the right people.” Schlencker says. This includes connecting with them via social media as well as in-person. “Following the right people, checking out what they have, most of the time its on Instagram,” he explains.

“First thing they do is follow the people they look up to, collectors or celebrities in the art world. You end up discovering new artists, then you look for the hashtag, and then if you’re really interested you’ll look for articles and prices,” he says.

“Young collectors don’t just want to buy art, they also want to know more about the art world. Many institutions have programs that get Millennial collectors involved early.

Depending on the level you’re in, these young collectors councils include you on museum acquisitions, special events, VIP access to fairs, and artist studio visits. Members can range from bankers, financiers, art world denizens to all kinds of creative types. These councils are a sure way to access the “exclusive” art world, while gaining some cultural education along the way… – Christie Chu, ArtNet

Whatever you chose, make sure it’s something you LOVE

If there’s anything we’ve learned during our research, it’s that there are LOTS of different types of art to collect, and you don’t necessarily have to stay within the lines when it comes to collecting. Understanding the market and getting involved in local art organizations will set you up for success. The next step? Find an original piece you love and go from there.

On May 15th , 2016, local Denver artist Nikki Nation led a group of participants in the art of jewelry-making and pendant-stamping in Perspective’s first workshop in the Perspective Shift series. The series aims to foster art appreciation and involvement among young professionals in Denver through creative art experiences and introduction to its up and coming artists.

Hosted at Nikki’s workshop, an artists’ collective in Denver’s Globeville neighborhood, the afternoon began with delicious refreshments like hummus and pita chips, crisp veggies, cocktails and wine. Nikki gave an introduction to the various materials of pendant stamping, including the many different stamps and hammering techniques, as well as a ‘how-to’ demonstration which gave participants inspiration to begin. She also demonstrated how to give the silver or copper pendants a different look using a patina technique which darkened the stamped and textured pieces.

During the two hour-long workshop, the sounds of hammering and laughter were heard as participants examined the materials, tested out their own ideas and techniques, and finally created two pieces each to take home. Nikki assisted with design ideas, and helped with any drilling or cutting needs along the way.

One of the participants, Sarah Noelle, said: “I appreciated the opportunity to work with a medium I hadn’t worked with before, and was excited that I got to take home my personalized pieces!”